TUV deputy leader to fight in Strangford

TUV leader Jim Allister has confirmed his party’s bid for the Strangford seat in next month’s general election is in the hands of its deputy leader, Ron McDowell.

A Belfast city councillor, Mr McDowell said his campaign would be shaped by his aim of reversing the ‘woeful’ unionist representation of the past 20 years.

Having worked in Ards for 27 years, Mr McDowell said just as he aims to work to build a better future for his own family, he said he will also endeavour to return ‘investment to the area’.

Mr McDowell said he will work to calm the prevailing ‘chaos’ in unionism.

“Unionism has been woefully represented for over 20 years now. Chaos is the normal and poor decision making has left the Unionist electorate in a state of defeatism and suffering apathy. Trust has been broken and honesty shattered.”

Mr McDowell said he believed in a statesmanlike approach to the Union, ‘marrying respect for rivals with dignity in office.

“There is a fear that I would dispel with a positive vision giving a confidence where confidence has been diminished. That does not come from weakness.

“The DUP negotiated Sea Border will gradually see Northern Ireland re-orient her economy to that of an All-Ireland jurisdiction. The hundreds of EU laws that we are now subject to will increase year on year as new issues arise.”

Mr McDowell said the demise of industry in the Ards has has been an unchecked decline’ and said he will work ‘using all of my ingenuity to bring back investment to the area’.

“Farmers, fishermen and the NHS have all suffered under our most recent leadership and I may not be able to heal all wounds but I offer myself to you openly with an obligation that the reputation I have already gained as a hard working, measured politician will be the service I offer to you freely,” he said.

“There are many titles that folk can have. MP, councillor, deputy leader, union rep, secretary or treasurer for example. I own all of those bar one and I’m working on that but when all is stripped back there are only two that really matter to me, husband and daddy and that is why I entered politics. To build a better future for my family,” he concluded.